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Conventional wisdom tells us that faster turnover equals faster speed. If only it were that easy! This may be true for our terrestrial counterparts, runners, but water is about 800 times denser than air. That added resistance means the rules can't apply in the same way for runners and swimmers. Additionally, turnover rate and speed don't share a linear correlation; errors in stroke mechanics introduce drag, and as speed increases, this drag coefficient increases exponentially. 

 

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Have you ever noticed how everyone gets excited when the 8-and-unders swim at age-group or summer league swim meets? Parents and coaches make a big deal about each swimmer, regardless of his or her place or time. Successfully completing the length of the pool for some is a major accomplishment, and it's lauded loudly. We see a little of this in Masters meets, particularly for swimmers over the age of 85, but I think we need to make all our swimmers feel this way, from beginners in lane one to the national champions. 

 

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The submission window for USMS Level 4 coach certification applications is fast approaching. Applications will be accepted from July 1 through July 31. Download the application now and begin putting together your portfolio! But don't forget, you must officially register and pay for the submission. Information about Level 4 and the Level 4 application can be found online.

 

Submitted applications will be reviewed in August by a panel selected by the USMS Coaches Committee. Applicants will be notified of any deficiencies. Supporting documentation to address deficiencies must be submitted no later than Aug. 31. The review panel will notify candidates by Sept. 10 if they have achieved Level 4 status. Level 4 certification will be awarded to successful candidates during the USMS annual meeting.

 

2015 USMS Summer National Championship

Registration is now open for Summer Nats! Registration closes July 6. More information about the meet, hotels, transportation, and local attractions is all available on the event website. In addition to on-deck coaches for this event, we're also still seeking officials. Apply to be an official today and help make this great event happen! 

The open water National Championship series is now in full swing. Encourage your swimmers to sign up for some or all of the great events remaining on this year's calendar:

Each year U.S. Masters Swimming recognizes the extraordinary efforts of our members beyond the water's edge. USMS's success is a result of the amazing contributions of our talented and dedicated volunteers. Help us identify initiative and performance by nominating people you know who fulfill the ideals of the following awards. The deadline for nominations is July 1; please review the submission instructions for each award and help recognize an amazing volunteer.

• Speedo/USMS Coach of the Year
• Dot Donnelly Service Award
• Kerry O'Brien Coaching Award
• Club of the Year Award
• June Krauser Communications Award
• Fitness Award
• Open Water Service Award

Let us know who deserves to be recognized!

 

Want to host an ePostal or open water National Championship in 2017? The bidding process is open to events that have run successfully for three years in a row before bidding. Hosting a national championship provides lots of national exposure, which can help your event grow. Bidding information is available on the Long Distance Championship page at usms.org. Selection will be based on the overall suitability of the bid received, and in the case of open water, the committee will also be considering the area in which the event is to be held, safety, and the annual event schedule as a whole. For more information and detailed instructions, check out the Championship Bid Information page. Applications for both ePostal and open water events can be completed online and are due by July 15. Apply today!

The High Performance Training Camp scheduled for Aug. 22 through 27 still has a few openings so registration has been extended. This training camp is a great opportunity to improve on technique while being filmed. You'll also receive personal education on your heartrate, lactate threshold, and flexibility, while learning the most up-to-date Masters training and competitive theories. Technique and speed information and much more will be offered during this 5-day training camp. For more information and to register, please see the event page. And read what other swimmers have had to say about this camp. Not many places remain, so sign up today!

 

The Coach Asks: We are hosting a meet soon and would like to offer 25-yard events in addition to the normal events. Can we limit each swimmer to a maximum of five events per day and allow them to swim as many 25-yard events as they wish in addition to the five individual events per day? Do nonconforming events count for the five-event-per-day limit?

 

Answer: Nonconforming events count for the five-event-per-day limit at sanctioned meets. 102.6 (event limit) does not differentiate between conforming and nonconforming events (see 202.1.1F[3] for information about offering nonconforming events at sanctioned meets). 102.6 stipulates only five events per day, and 25-yard events, or other nonconforming events, count as part of the five-event-per-day limit. 

 

Our innovative, one-day Adult Learn-to-Swim Instructor Certification Course begins with several hours of classroom training in how to approach the various types of adult nonswimmers you might come across while offering lessons. After talking theory in the classroom, all attendees practice what they've just learned in the pool. At the conclusion of the class, you'll be a certified USMS ALTS instructor, ready to help people who come to you for swimming lessons.

 

More information about the course is available online along with a schedule for upcoming classes around the country. Please check the schedule frequently, as we're constantly adding new dates and locations.

 

• Education Director:Bill Brenner
• Program and Services Manager:Marianne Groenings
• Education Coordinator:Mel Goldstein
• Free marketing materials for USMS programs. Caps, stickers, brochures, etc.
• Free templates to promote your program, swim meets, and open water events
• Coaching positions and opportunities in the Coaching Forum

 

Our sponsors support you; please support them!

U.S. Masters Swimming, founded in 1970, is a membership-operated national governing body that promotes health, wellness, fitness, and competition for adults through swimming. It does so by partnering with more than 1,500 adult swim programs across the country; promoting information via the bimonthly member magazine, SWIMMER, monthly e-newsletters, STREAMLINES, and website, usms.org; and by sanctioning and promoting pool, open water, and virtual events and competitions. Nearly 60,000 adults are registered members of U.S. Masters Swimming.

U.S. Masters Swimming encourages all U.S. Masters Swimming coaches to subscribe to STREAMLINES for Coaches. However, if you'd rather not receive this update, please do not click the "SafeUnsubscribe" link, as that will remove you from all other USMS National Office mailings. Rather, click on the "Update Profile/Email Address" link to manage your subscriptions to U.S. Masters Swimming electronic communications.